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The hope for secularism
By Hugh Harris
So often we hear about the dizzying pace of change in modern society. And yet, despite plummeting levels of religiosity, progress towards a truly secular society proceeds in fits and starts, and remains agonisingly slow. If we are dizzy, it’s from going round in circles.
My colleagues at the Rationalist Society of Australia may disagree with me, pointing to admirable progress in access to terminations, voluntary assisted dying, and same-sex marriage. But, even after modest gains, we witness a clamoring to wind back these changes and to add exceptions for religious freedom. And these gains seem paltry compared to the drop off in churchgoing and the rise of the nones, according to the Census.


"The best thing secularists can do is illuminate the stark contrast between empirical facts and unverified beliefs. We can paddle with the tide of public opinion…"
Hugh Harris
Featured Articles
Between theocracy and democracy
Max Wallace
28/11/2023
This article is part of our ‘A secular Australian future’ feature series to mark the first Secularism Australia Conference, being held on Saturday ...
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The hope for secularism
Hugh Harris
25/11/2023
This article is part of our ‘A secular Australian future’ feature series to mark the first Secularism Australia Conference, being held on ...
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Are we exaggerating the extent of antisemitism?
Michael Liffman
23/11/2023
As a secular Jew whose parents were forever grateful for the refuge they found in Australia from Nazi Germany in ...
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Say your prayers
Si Gladman
21/11/2023
This article is part of our ‘A secular Australian future’ feature series to mark the first Secularism Australia Conference, being held ...
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Our 2017 interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Rationale Magazine
19/11/2023
Editor’s note: In UnHerd magazine last weekend, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a feminist and critic of Islam, wrote about her journey ...
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MBJ’s view
Matt Bissett-Johnson
18/11/2023
See current affairs through the eyes of cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson.
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